This weekend the 2005-06 and 2007-08 winners, who have only failed to reach the knockouts four times since the turn of the century, come up against a Bordeaux-Begles backline that includes France wingers Damian Penaud and Louis Bielle-Biarrey.
“Bordeaux-Begles look to play a little bit more chaotic than La Rochelle,” Munster defence coach Denis Leamy told reporters on Tuesday.
“These sort of players are very special players and they get them into spaces where they get really threatening and really effective, so that’s a challenge for us,” he added.
Bordeaux-Begles finished the group stages as top seeds, crossing 33 times in four games and are eyeing a first semi-final since 2020-21, having only been founded 19 years ago.
They beat Ulster 43-31 last weekend as Penaud scored a record-equalling 11th try in one Champions Cup campaign.
“Anyone who’s watched them right throughout the European Cup would be really impressed by what they’ve done over the last season,” Leamy said.
“Their instinct to play running, attacking rugby, to create any sort of opportunity into a score, that’s really strong.
“I think that’s something that you have to admire and it’s for us to try and shut them down,” the former Munster and Ireland loose forward added.
After crossing paths with O’Gara last time out, another former Munster flyhalf awaits the Irish side in the next round.
Joey Carbery, who started against Ulster before limping off early in the second half, spent six seasons in western Ireland before moving to France in 2024.
“He’s somebody we know very well,” Leamy said. “We know all the qualities that he will bring and the tricks that he possesses,” he added.
Elsewhere, four-time winners Leinster host Glasgow on Friday having trounced Harlequins 62-0 thanks to an influential Sam Prendergast.
The Scottish side, Vodacom URC holders, have never reached the top-tier competition’s last four and will be missing flanker Henco Venter due to suspension.
Castres head to Northampton in their first Champions Cup quarter-final since 2001-02 but will be without centre Adrien Seguret, who has been banned for three weeks for a high tackle in the last-16 win over Benetton.
On Sunday, holders Toulouse travel to three-time champions Toulon, who are hosting a Champions Cup quarter-final for the first time since winning a third straight title in 2014-15.
Toulouse’s last-16 win over Sale on Sunday was delayed for more than 40 minutes after a parachutist was stuck on the stadium roof before being rescued, with tournament organisers inviting the individual to a future match to make up for his bad luck.
Champions Cup quarter-final fixtures:
Friday
Leinster vs Glasgow, Aviva Stadium, 9pm
Saturday
Bordeaux vs Munster, Stade Chaban-Delmas, 4pm
Northampton vs Castres, Franklin’s Gardens, 6.30pm
Sunday
Toulon vs Toulouse, Stade Felix Mayol, 4pm
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Photo: Romain Perrocheau/AFP via Getty Images
